CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Efforts by the Punjab government bore fruit on February 19 when the Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed meeting between Canadian Prime Justin Trudeau and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on February 21. Prime Minister Trudeau has agreed to a 15 minute with Captain Amarinder Singh at the Taj Hotel in Amritsar Sahib.
A government official has also confirmed that Captain Amarinder Singh will not accompany Justin Trudeau during his visit to the holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Media reports reveal that instructions have been issued to roll out the red carpet for the visiting dignitary and to ensure best facilities to the Canadian PM, his family and the entourage.
Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh has said that Punjab had deep roots in Canada as a large Punjabi community is settled there and has always striven to strengthen the connect.
He has also referred to Trudeau’s apology, two years ago, in the Canadian parliament over the Komagata Maru incident. Notably, hundreds of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu passengers who arrived in Canada on a Japanese steamer in 1914 were denied entry into Canada and forced to return to India.